Ohio State Football: 3 Freshmen Who Must Shine in Fall Practices

The Ohio State football team will receive a huge boost in a few weeks when members from the country’s No. 3 recruiting class report for fall camp.

With the coaching staff searching for playmakers, freshmen such as Damon Webb, Marshon Lattimore and Jamarco Jones will compete for a spot in the Buckeyes’ two-deep rotation.

Despite the influx of new talent, Urban Meyer is hoping for big contributions from a trio of freshmen who enrolled early for spring camp. Whether they’re providing a boost to a depleted unit or replacing a longtime starter, these three players must step up.

Raekwon McMillan

The Buckeyes had big issues at linebacker last season, so Meyer hit the recruiting trail hard in order to fix them.

That turned out to be a successful endeavor. Ohio State pulled in a 5-star and three 4-star linebackers this February, giving Meyer the kind of depth at the position he needed.

Raekwon McMillan was the crown jewel of the group.

The 6’2″, 242-pound bruiser was the rated the nation’s top inside linebacker after piling up 159 tackles, 35 tackles for loss and 8.5 sacks during his senior season. He chose the Buckeyes over offers from Alabama, Auburn, Clemson and Georgia.

With the loss of Ryan Shazier, who was drafted in the first round by the Pittsburgh Steelers, Ohio State’s linebacker unit needed a playmaker. McMillan came in this spring and competed with senior Curtis Grant at middle linebacker.